page_title: Huvadhu Atoll
hierarchical_section_title: Huvadhu Atoll
caption_attribution_description: 1753 Van Keulen Dutch map of Huvadu atoll, Highly inaccurate.
context_page_description: Huvadhu is a large atoll located south of the Suvadiva Channel the Republic of Maldives. Etymologically it was called Suvadhinmathi or Suvadiva, with a total area of 3152 km², of which 38.5 km² is dry land. The atoll contains 255 islands, the most in the Maldives.
  It is the second largest geographical atoll in the country, after Boduthiladhunmathi which has smaller and fewer islands spread across a larger area.
  Huvadu Atoll has been divided into two districts for administrative purposes since the 1970s. These divisions are Northern Huvadhu Atoll in the north, and Southern Huvadhu Atoll.
  During his journey to Maldives, Ibn Batuta states in his journal that Maldives was destitute of grain, except in the province of Souweid where they produce a cereal, a kind of Millet which was brought to Mahal.
  The traditional seat of power in the Huvadhu was Thinadhoo up until the division, after which Thinadhoo remained the Capital of South Huvadhu Atoll, and Villingili was instated as the capital of North Huvadhu Atoll.
  The master carpenters of the iconic Male' Hukuru Miskiy were from Huvadu, Kondey island. They were Ali Maavadi Kaleyfaanu and Mahmud Maavadi Kaleyfaanu.
context_section_description: Huvadhu is a large atoll located south of the Suvadiva Channel  the Republic of Maldives. Etymologically it was called Suvadhinmathi or Suvadiva, with a total area of 3152 km², of which 38.5 km² is dry land. The atoll contains 255 islands, the most in the Maldives.
  It is the second largest geographical atoll in the country, after Boduthiladhunmathi (consisting of Haa Alif, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani, and Noonu administrative divisions) which has smaller and fewer islands spread across a larger area.
  Huvadu Atoll has been divided into two districts (administrative provinces) for administrative purposes since the 1970s. These divisions are Northern Huvadhu Atoll (Gaafu Alifu) in the north, and Southern Huvadhu Atoll (Gaafu Dhaalu).
  During his journey to Maldives, Ibn Batuta states in his journal that Maldives was destitute of grain, except in the province of Souweid ( Suvadiva or Huvadu ) where they produce a cereal, a kind of Millet which was brought to Mahal.
  The traditional seat of power in the Huvadhu was Thinadhoo up until the division, after which Thinadhoo remained the Capital of South Huvadhu Atoll, and Villingili was instated as the capital of North Huvadhu Atoll.
  The master carpenters of the iconic Male' Hukuru Miskiy were from Huvadu, Kondey island. They were Ali Maavadi Kaleyfaanu and Mahmud Maavadi Kaleyfaanu.
  The best quality mats of the Maldives are woven in this atoll, in the island of Gaddū. The local grass 'hau' is dyed in two colors, black and yellow.
caption: 1753 Van Keulen Map of Huvadu Atoll (inaccurate)
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